BE ELITE ACADEMY

Our Teachers

Brooke Sanchez, Director

Brooke (Stewart) Sanchez grew up in East Allegheny, PA. and was a standout basketball player in High School and College. Brooke scored over 3,000-point in her high school career at East Allegheny, and had her No. 5 jersey retired. Among the accolades she received following her senior year were: Pennsylvania Coaches Association Class 2A Player of the Year, Small School first-team All-State, honorable-mention USA Today Pennsylvania Player of the Year, and honorable-mention Street & Smith High School All-American. Brooke received a full scholarship to the University of Pittsburgh and was the Panthers’ top player off the bench as a freshman before cracking the starting line-up and emerging as a three-year starter. She tallied 31 points against Howard to join the 1,000-point club, concluding her career with 1,114 points, becoming just the 11th Panther with 1,000 career points at the time, and still holds the Pitt record for career three-point shots made (195). Brooke was inducted into the Pittsburgh Basketball Club Woman’s Hall of Fame in 2022, and will be inducted into the WPIAL Hall of Fame later this year. Brooke graduated from the University of Pittsburgh with degrees in Psychology and Sociology. She resides in Las Cruces, NM with her husband Kenneth Sanchez, sons Kayson and Kash, and is a Physical Education teacher at Las Cruces Catholic School, for grades K-8.

Kenneth Sanchez, Co-Director

Kenneth Sanchez is an experienced youth development professional with over 20 years of working with children in educational, athletic, and structured program settings. He currently serves as the Director of Be Elite Academy in Las Cruces, New Mexico, where he provides a safe, structured, and engaging environment focused on academic support, physical activity, and character development. Kenneth holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Criminal Justice with a minor in health and physical education, and is a licensed Professional Educator in Physical Education and Athletic Coach in the State of New Mexico. He maintains current certifications in CPR/First Aid, health and safety, child abuse awareness, and emergency preparedness. In addition to his work in education, Kenneth has an accomplished background in coaching at the high school and college levels. He has led teams to 4 Nevada State Championships and 2 National Championships, and has been recognized as a 3-time Nevada State Coach of the Year and was selected as the 2016 Max Preps National Coach of the Year. He also served as the United States U19 National Team Head Coach and has coached over 65 Division I athletes and 14 NFL players. This experience allows him to bring a unique level of mentorship, discipline, and leadership development to the children and student-athletes he serves. Throughout his career as a teacher, coach, and program director, Kenneth has supervised and mentored children of all ages, developing programs that promote learning, teamwork, and positive behavior. As the founder of multiple youth programs, he brings a strong commitment to safety, structure, and high-quality care. Kenneth is passionate about creating an environment where children feel supported, families feel confident, and every child has the opportunity to grow and succeed.

Philosophy

Be Elite Academy is an out-of-school time provider dedicated to excellence in Child Care and enrichment. Founded on the principle that learning never stops, our business operates with a professional mindset that prioritizes high-quality service, modern facilities, and a curriculum-driven approach to out-of-school care. We pride ourselves on being a community-centric organization that maintains the highest standards of accountability and transparency for all our families. Our Mission: To empower students through innovative out-of-school care programming that builds character and academic resilience. Our Vision: To be the leading provider of enrichment-based care that parents trust and children love attending every day. Our Culture: We believe in a culture of respect, diversity, and continuous improvement for both our staff and students. The culture of our program is defined by the “Scholar Mindset.” We encourage students to take initiative, respect their peers, and participate actively in all scheduled events. By maintaining a professional yet warm atmosphere, we ensure that every participant feels valued and challenged. We continuously invest in our resources and facilities to ensure that our environment remains modern, safe, and conducive to the various developmental needs of our students. Be Elite Academy operates in compliance with all New Mexico ECECD licensing regulations.

Location

Be Elite Academy is conveniently located in a well-established and family-friendly area of Las Cruces. Our program operates at Las Cruces Catholic Schools (1331 N. Miranda St) in a quiet, community-centered neighborhood that is known for its accessibility and proximity to local schools and resources. Our location is ideal for families, with nearby elementary and middle schools, including Alameda Elementary School, making drop-off and pick-up simple and efficient for working parents. In addition, the program is easily accessible from major roads and neighborhoods throughout Las Cruces, making commuting convenient. The surrounding community is supportive and established, offering a safe and welcoming environment for children to learn and grow. Overall, our location combines safety, convenience, and access to educational and recreational resources—making it a great fit for families looking for reliable, high-quality childcare.

About our program

The BE ELITE ACADEMY in Las Cruces, is designed to help young student-athletes grow both on and off the field. Our program blends sports training, academic enrichment, character development, and fun summer activities - all in a safe, supportive, and high-energy environment. A great summer starts here!